Yamaha Big Bear 400 4WD ATV

They say: Always ride with a buddy. So I'm riding this new Yamaha Big Bear 400 4WD in Florida's Apalachicola National Forest with my buddies, and we slog through a mudhole and stop to wait for a couple of laggards.

Mike Martinez finally clears the mudhole and pulls up behind his boss, Scott Heath, who's resting on the machine behind mine. Mike's sneaky plan is to run the bumper of his Big Bear into a foot-wide tree next to Scott, gun the throttle and spray mud all over his boss.

Whap! Mike's ATV slams into the tree. Rmmm! His engine roars. Crack!The top half of the tree breaks off. Thunk!It falls on me.

This is why they say: Always wear a helmet.

Actually, getting flattened by a falling tree was just one more incident in a typical day of ATV testing that included getting stuck in 3 ft. of disgusting swamp water while trying to perform a dramatic shot for photographer David Dewhurst, landing at the bottom of a muddy stream bed under 560 pounds of Big Bear after going over backward racing up a too-vertical incline, and running straight into an immovable rock with enough force to turn both wrists into candidates for Extra Strength Aleve or Tylenol 3.

Why am I telling you this? Because Yamaha's Big Bear 400 4WD positively thrived under these battlefield conditions, taking all the unintentional abuse that I put it through, shrugging it off and begging for more. "Come on, Sarge, point me at that wall one more time. I know we can take it." Rmmm!

The model year 2000 Big Bear 400 is a breakthrough for Yamaha. Priced at just $5399 in red, green or beige–$5695 for a Buckmaster Edition decorated with a film overlay of Realtree Extra Brown Camo–the new Big Bear costs less than most midsize ATVs. But it's powered by a big, air-cooled 386cc SOHC Single driving all four wheels through a semiautomatic five-speed gearbox and shafts instead of chains.

This is the ATV equivalent of stuffing a 350 small-block V8 into a Subaru 4x4. Things happen quickly, all the way up to 50 mph. The big engine also provides enough power to tow 900 pounds or carry 265 pounds on the cargo racks, in addition to a full-size rider.

This is not to say Yamaha has built some overpowered hot rod. The new Big Bear is one of the most sophisticated multipurpose quads on the market.

I think the new bodywork is terrific. It's reminiscent of Volkswagen's New Beetle from certain angles, but it's also functional. The flexible plastic fenders are pretty much unbreakable. They're easy to clean and wide enough to offer real protection from mud and water. The front and rear bumpers protect the mechanical bits, while the new seat is comfortable for all-day rides.

On most ATVs, when a 6-ft. 200 pounder like me slides back to counterbalance the machine, he usually whacks his inner thigh on the rear luggage rack. On the Big Bear 400, there's a smooth transition between seat and rack. Little things like that mean a lot, particularly after hours in the saddle.

The more powerful engine and sleek new bodywork are not the only Big Bear improvements for 2000. Among the useful features are a larger, 4-gal. fuel tank with a fuel gauge, a larger oil cooler, CDI ignition and an efficient motorcycle-style BSR33 carburetor. There's a waterproof, easily reached cigarette lighter-style socket for accessories and better support for the rear hitch mount. The choke is now conveniently mounted on the handlebar, while the new, flatter bars control a front suspension with an extremely tight turning radius.

Speaking of suspensions, the Big Bear has high-quality Showa spring/shocks front and rear. The front suspension has independent A-arms and disc brakes. The rear consists of an elaborately braced rigid axle with a single disc brake. There are 5.9 in. of suspension travel at both front and rear. Coupled with 9.6 in. of ground clearance and 25-in. tires, this allows the Big Bear to claw its way almost anywhere.

Yamaha engineers obviously went out of their way to make the Big Bear 400 as bulletproof as possible. The front CV joints are protected by the suspension arms, replaceable impact covers and full rubber boots. The rear drum brake has been cleverly designed to be completely sealed from the outside environment. Remote-mounted electronics with multiple fuses are hidden high under the seat, along with a sealed battery and the airbox, which can be field serviced without tools. The exhaust system and muffler are now stainless steel.

All in all, the Big Bear 400 4WD is a remarkably durable, capable and well-engineered ATV, at a comfortable price. It's no racer, but it's not strictly a farm implement for checking fences, either. It is a versatile machine that should be equally at home as an everyday workhorse, a reliable hunting companion or a fun mount for weekend adventures.

Just a few years ago, ATVs were all two-wheel drive, suitable mostly for sliding around in the dirt. But four-wheel-drive machines like the Big Bear 400 have proven spectacularly more capable.

One word of advice, particularly to new riders: Be sure to ride with a buddy. And if that buddy is anything like my pal Mike Martinez, better wear your helmet.

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